Hibs welcome return of AFCON stars - why all three could be needed for crucial Scottish Premiership showdown
Filling in where needed, energy in midfield - and a scene stealer eager to grab spotlight
The boys are back in town. Well, almost. Rocky Bushiri is still en route. But you get the idea.
The Democratic Republic of Congo suffering extra-time agony in their Africa Cup of Nations last-16 defeat to Algeria in Rabat last night, conceding with just 60 seconds of the 120 minutes remaining, was terrible news for Rocky Bushiri and his international team-mates. But not the worst development for Hibs, if you’re looking at things through the short-term lens of building on recent wins.
Bushiri’s imminent return to club duty means that, by the time David Gray’s men face Motherwell at Easter Road on Saturday, in a game absolutely bursting with potential to define the second half of the season, all three of Hibernian’s AFCON adventurers could/should be in the squad. With injuries mounting and crucial fixtures lurking around every corner, that has to be good news.
Motherwell have earned plenty of praise
A home win would see Hibs leap ahead of Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership table, with a move into fourth place keeping the Edinburgh side hot on the heels of Celtic and Rangers. Given the plaudits afforded Jens Berthel Askou and his team in this season of overturned expectations, a victory for Gray’s men would also be a statement in its own right.
So what difference does it make, having Jordan Obita, Miguel Chaiwa and – fingers crossed – Bushiri back and ready to play? Let’s break it down.
Solving a problem position – or two
Obita’s return to the match-day squad at Kilmarnock on Saturday, the experienced defender coming off the bench early in the second half of a 3-1 win for the visitors, provided an obvious solution to a personnel shortage at left wingback. As soon as Obita sprinted onto the plastic pitch at Rugby Park, Jamie McGrath was able to return to his more familiar role as an attacking midfielder, the Irishman winning AND converting a penalty as a reminder of where he really belongs.
There is, of course, another potential bonus associated with Obita being back from a mixed AFCON experience with Uganda. The 32-year-old played left centre-half in a back four in his first major international tournament, demonstrating his adaptability.
Should Jack Iredale struggle with the heel pain that forced him to limp off the artificial surface with 52 minutes gone on Sunday, Obita – who played every minute of all three group games for the Cranes, who were knocked out after one draw and two losses - is an option on the left of a back three. Although that might mean McGrath returning to left wingback …
Miguel brings the energy
Chaiwa wasn’t quite up to being involved in Saturday’s win. Hibs will be hoping that he’s in tip-top shape for Motherwell, though. The 21-year-old played in two of Zambia’s three group games at AFCON, sitting out the middle match, so should be reasonably fresh.
Still obviously lacking in experience, Chaiwa definitely brings hard running, dribbling and ball-winning abilities to the centre of the park. Depending on how Hibs look to combat Motherwell’s passing patterns, he might be an ideal disruptor. Especially if McGrath is needed elsewhere.
Big man, big moments
Be honest, now. Would you be surprised if Bushiri barged back into the starting XI – or came hurtling into the fray as a substitute – to win the game against Motherwell with a goal-line block AND a late winner? It’s what the big fella does, right?
With Iredale a doubt, Bushiri might be competing with Zach Mitchell for a starting position, although the left of a back three isn’t the Belgian-born fan favourites’ ideal starting place. A lot will depend on how he’s looking once he returns to East Mains.
Bushiri only played in one of the DRC’s four games, strolling through a 3-0 group win over Botswana. Given the differences between tournament training and club programmes, there will be a judgement call to make on his game readiness.